Patiala : Continuing their three day old strike on the call of All India Motor Transport Congress, members of the All Punjab Truck Operator Union today thronged Shambhu border, blocked National Highway no1 and held protests against the alleged anti operator policies of the centre government.
Operators from all over the Punjab were led by All India Motor Transport Congress Chairman Charan Singh Lohara who blocked the traffic for more than an hour when police persuaded them to lift blockage and restore traffic which was hurting the passer byes. Operators from Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali, Derabssi, Chandigarh, and other parts of the state had assembled here for this protest demonstration.
These operators are protesting against the alleged anti truck operator policies including high rate of toll taxes in the country. Speaking on the occasion Prem Singh Jangpura General Secretary, Baljinder singh Babu legal advisor, Hardeep Singh Deepa President Patiala district unit, Harpal Pradhan and Rana Panjeta besides others said that Centre government was pursuing anti transport policies and was all out to hurt the transporters. They said in no other part of the world, this type of toll tax system was in existence which is being pursued in the country. They said that their strike and protests would continue till the government roll backs the present policy and implements yearly toll tax, waives off TDS system besides accepting other demands. Harpal Pradhan also raised concern on Gunda tax being collected in the name of Danda tax in West Bengal.Happy Sandhu President All Punjab Truck Operator Union disclosed the truckers would now resort to dharnas at district level to further press their demands.Prominent among those present included Prem Singh, Hardeep Singh Deepa, Jasmer Singh Lachru, KK abrol besides others.
